Texas and New Mexico trip - Amarillo 2: Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument which is part of the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This is a...

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument which is part of the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This is a very interesting place for people who love rocks and geology. The site is a limited access site and can only be seen through Ranger led hikes, which are free, that last about 2 hours. Alibates is reached by a road that bisects private land, and has a side road to McBride Canyon where several hiking trails begin. By looking at the land, you would never imagine that beautiful flint was to be found, but again, looks can be deceiving, and this area has produced some of the finest flint known. The flint is made out of dolomite which differs from limestone by having magnesium in its composition which gives the rock some of its color. The dolomite crystals were agatized, like the trees in the Petrified Forest, and more colors were added from the minerals the water contained. This is the only place in the world so far discovered to have agatized dolomite flint. The end result is flint that contains stripes and bring colors. This flint is in about a 10 mile square area, but mainly concentrated in the National Monument. The vestiges of quarry holes are evident on top of the mesa we climbed, and archeology of the area is ongoing.

The quarry has been used for over 13,000 years, and projectile points made of this flint have been found in the Clovis dig site at Blackwater Draw and surrounding areas, and as far away as Canada. Around 1500 year ago, the Antelope Creek people settled the area and conducted a thriving business by allowing other tribes to come and barter with them for their flint. There are Ranger programs that show flint knapping projectice points. Some of those points are used on projectiles thrown by an atl-atl in another demonstration. Most quarry holes that have been found are about 8 feet in depth, and the flint thickness in some places can reach another 8 feet in depth. I found this area fascinating, but its not for everyone, and the top of the mesa is reached by a climb up several flights of stairs on a trail that winds up the mesa in a gentle grade, using switchbacks and gaining about 200 feet in elevation from the parking lot.

Finishing up around dinner time, I headed back to Amarillo for supper at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a true tourist trap on old Route 66 that parallels I-40. I got there before the dinner rush and had time to look around and shop for some souvenirs to take home. Of course I had to order a steak, but was sorely disappointed in the service and the quality of the meal. There was a gentleman who did take the 72 ounce steak dinner challenge - 72 oz steak; shrimp cocktail; rolls; butter; salad; and baked potato in 1 hour or less. Very few people beat the challenge, and he was no exception. It was a short drive back to Canyon where I packed for the drive back to Dallas the next day.

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The view from the top of the mesa towards the Canadian River

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The colors of the hills at the quarry - the flint is on the top 16 - 20 feet

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Flint pieces that have been discarded

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Another "garbage" pile of flint

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The sidewalk has cattle brands pressed into it

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The Big Texan hotel next to the restaurant

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Setting up for the steak dinner challenge

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View from the balcony
View from the balcony...

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mas24 Loc: Southern CA

I have been checking out some of your vacation photos of late, I even commented on one when you were at the Pistachio Farm. Your photos are very good. I've been to Amarillo. A friend went there after me in the winter, and said he almost froze there. Enjoy your return trip back home to North Carolina. I'm certain you'll have many more photos to show friends and family. Plus stories to tell as well.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

mas24 wrote:

I have been checking out some of your vacation photos of late, I even commented on one when you were at the Pistachio Farm. Your photos are very good. I've been to Amarillo. A friend went there after me in the winter, and said he almost froze there. Enjoy your return trip back home to North Carolina. I'm certain you'll have many more photos to show friends and family. Plus stories to tell as well.

I'm glad you have enjoyed my photos. I have been home from the trip since the end of April, but just posting my photos. I am now in the process of putting together a short "trip book" that people can view but not get overwhelmed by. I normally use Mixbook for those, and am also putting together a couple of calendars for next year for several people I send them to each year after my trips. I have one more installment, then will fade into the background on UHH until my next trip.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I like the color of the flint thank you for posting the picture's.

angler Loc: StHelens England

A very good and interesting set AuntieM.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

RichardSM wrote:

I like the color of the flint thank you for posting the picture's.

I liked the colors of the flint also. Unfortunately no collecting of any specimens to take back home with me.

Thanks for looking and commenting.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

angler wrote:

A very good and interesting set AuntieM.

Thank you Angler. Glad you have followed my trip.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Enjoying the series!!!
Had not heard of the flint quarries.

Pat

Jim Bob

AuntieM wrote:

Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument which is part of the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This is a very interesting place for people who love rocks and geology. The site is a limited access site and can only be seen through Ranger led hikes, which are free, that last about 2 hours. Alibates is reached by a road that bisects private land, and has a side road to McBride Canyon where several hiking trails begin. By looking at the land, you would never imagine that beautiful flint was to be found, but again, looks can be deceiving, and this area has produced some of the finest flint known. The flint is made out of dolomite which differs from limestone by having magnesium in its composition which gives the rock some of its color. The dolomite crystals were agatized, like the trees in the Petrified Forest, and more colors were added from the minerals the water contained. This is the only place in the world so far discovered to have agatized dolomite flint. The end result is flint that contains stripes and bring colors. This flint is in about a 10 mile square area, but mainly concentrated in the National Monument. The vestiges of quarry holes are evident on top of the mesa we climbed, and archeology of the area is ongoing.

The quarry has been used for over 13,000 years, and projectile points made of this flint have been found in the Clovis dig site at Blackwater Draw and surrounding areas, and as far away as Canada. Around 1500 year ago, the Antelope Creek people settled the area and conducted a thriving business by allowing other tribes to come and barter with them for their flint. There are Ranger programs that show flint knapping projectice points. Some of those points are used on projectiles thrown by an atl-atl in another demonstration. Most quarry holes that have been found are about 8 feet in depth, and the flint thickness in some places can reach another 8 feet in depth. I found this area fascinating, but its not for everyone, and the top of the mesa is reached by a climb up several flights of stairs on a trail that winds up the mesa in a gentle grade, using switchbacks and gaining about 200 feet in elevation from the parking lot.

Finishing up around dinner time, I headed back to Amarillo for supper at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a true tourist trap on old Route 66 that parallels I-40. I got there before the dinner rush and had time to look around and shop for some souvenirs to take home. Of course I had to order a steak, but was sorely disappointed in the service and the quality of the meal. There was a gentleman who did take the 72 ounce steak dinner challenge - 72 oz steak; shrimp cocktail; rolls; butter; salad; and baked potato in 1 hour or less. Very few people beat the challenge, and he was no exception. It was a short drive back to Canyon where I packed for the drive back to Dallas the next day.

Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quar... (show quote)

Love those landscapes.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Jay Pat wrote:

Enjoying the series!!!
Had not heard of the flint quarries.

Pat

I am a member of the National Parks Conservation Association and they have a quarterly magazine where I read about this place, and it so fascinated me that I put it on my list of places I wanted to visit and I'm glad that I did.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Jim Bob wrote:

Love those landscapes.

I love them too. The rolling hills from Amarillo to Fritch were so empty that they were beautiful. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

J-SPEIGHT Loc: Akron, Ohio

Very nice set AuntieM.

AuntieM wrote:

Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument which is part of the Lake Meredith National Recreation Area. This is a very interesting place for people who love rocks and geology. The site is a limited access site and can only be seen through Ranger led hikes, which are free, that last about 2 hours. Alibates is reached by a road that bisects private land, and has a side road to McBride Canyon where several hiking trails begin. By looking at the land, you would never imagine that beautiful flint was to be found, but again, looks can be deceiving, and this area has produced some of the finest flint known. The flint is made out of dolomite which differs from limestone by having magnesium in its composition which gives the rock some of its color. The dolomite crystals were agatized, like the trees in the Petrified Forest, and more colors were added from the minerals the water contained. This is the only place in the world so far discovered to have agatized dolomite flint. The end result is flint that contains stripes and bring colors. This flint is in about a 10 mile square area, but mainly concentrated in the National Monument. The vestiges of quarry holes are evident on top of the mesa we climbed, and archeology of the area is ongoing.

The quarry has been used for over 13,000 years, and projectile points made of this flint have been found in the Clovis dig site at Blackwater Draw and surrounding areas, and as far away as Canada. Around 1500 year ago, the Antelope Creek people settled the area and conducted a thriving business by allowing other tribes to come and barter with them for their flint. There are Ranger programs that show flint knapping projectice points. Some of those points are used on projectiles thrown by an atl-atl in another demonstration. Most quarry holes that have been found are about 8 feet in depth, and the flint thickness in some places can reach another 8 feet in depth. I found this area fascinating, but its not for everyone, and the top of the mesa is reached by a climb up several flights of stairs on a trail that winds up the mesa in a gentle grade, using switchbacks and gaining about 200 feet in elevation from the parking lot.

Finishing up around dinner time, I headed back to Amarillo for supper at the Big Texan Steak Ranch, a true tourist trap on old Route 66 that parallels I-40. I got there before the dinner rush and had time to look around and shop for some souvenirs to take home. Of course I had to order a steak, but was sorely disappointed in the service and the quality of the meal. There was a gentleman who did take the 72 ounce steak dinner challenge - 72 oz steak; shrimp cocktail; rolls; butter; salad; and baked potato in 1 hour or less. Very few people beat the challenge, and he was no exception. It was a short drive back to Canyon where I packed for the drive back to Dallas the next day.

Just south of Lake Meredith is Alibates Flint Quar... (show quote)

fourg1b2006 Loc: Long Island New York

That looks so nice..must be a great place to visit.

RickL Loc: Vail, Az

Thank you for the great photos and visit

Bushpilot Loc: Minnesota

Your trip and photos have been very interesting.